Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett says he bought a pet tiger

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett created a buzz this week during a local radio interview when he said he bought a young pet tiger named “Little Buddy” that he hopes to bring to training camp and to games.

CARDINALS CAMP DETAILSWhen: The Cardinals are conducting training camp in Glendale for the first time. The initial full-sqad practice is Friday from 2-4:30 p.m. That will be the normal time for practices open to the public at University of Phoenix Stadium.FULL CAMP SCHEDULEParking: Parking and admission are free. Parking lots are open on the east side of the stadium (Green and Gray) and will open each practice day at 12:30 p.m. Use the Green entry off 91st Avenue. For Friday-Sunday practices, additional lots on the West (Orange) side of the stadium also will be available.Stadium entry: Enter through Gate 3 on the east side of the stadium beginning at 1:30 p.m. Fans can also enter through the team store at the north end near Gate 2. For Friday-Sunday practices entry is also possible at Gate 1 on the west side of the building. All fans will be subject to screening, including an inspection of all items brought inside the stadium.Seating: Open seating for fans will be on the east side of the stadium in the lower level. For Friday-Sunday practices, additional lower-bowl seating will be provided on the west side of the stadium. In addition, the south bridge will also be accessible as a vantage point.Also: Players will sign autographs along the lower-field walls for a limited time before leaving the field. ... food and beverage concession stands will be open throughout the stadium.

By Bob McManamanazcentral sportsFri Aug 2, 2013 2:18 PM

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett created a buzz this week during a local radio interview when he said he bought a young pet tiger named “Little Buddy” that he hopes to bring to training camp and to games.

Dockett suggested in a tweet Thursday morning that he brought his tiger with him to the stadium for the team’s conditioning test and timed shuttle run.

There was no sign of the tiger, however, and Dockett would not stop to talk with reporters as players made their way off the field following their run test.

He also told the radio station that he tried to purchase a pet monkey for $30,000 but the monkey’s owner wouldn’t sell. Had he made the deal, Dockett said he would have brought the monkey to the stadium on game days and have it dressed it its own Dockett jersey.

“Could you picture that on game days?” Dockett told Fox Sports 910. “I’m coming to the game, I have my monkey with me, he has my jersey on. Think about it. The fans see me with the monkey, ticket sales go up, Dockett jersey sales go up. Why? Because they all want to see me with the monkey.”

Tiger tale or truth?

Everyone wants to know the truth: Does Darnell Dockett really own a baby tiger or this just a silly prank the flamboyant defensive tackle is tossing out there as a playful joke?

After participating in the Cardinals’ first official workout of training camp Friday, Dockett was asked to come clean.

Here was his give-and-take with reporters:

“Do you have a tiger, really?”

“Yeah, yeah. But I cannot tell y’all everything about that as far as legal reasons. That company with the four-letter word? We’re going to keep them out of this. But yes, for everybody, I do have a tiger.”

“Does it live with you here in Arizona?”

“I’m not going to tell you that. .. I cannot tell you.”

Dockett, of course, made headlines last year when he used his Twitter account to tell fans he purchased a pet alligator. For the record, he said on Friday that he still has the alligator.

As for the tiger, which Dockett says weighs about 60 pounds and he named “Little Buddy,” it isn’t something he plans to keep long-term.

“There’s going to be a point where I’m going to give him back,” Dockett said.

Dockett tweeted that he hoped to bring his tiger to training camp and he was asked Friday if that’s still a realistic goal.

“I asked coach (Bruce Arians),” he said. “But if I do, trust me, ya’ll will never know about it.”

A spokesperson for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida said it learned Dockett purchased a tiger recently in Florida and that the organization has concerns about Dockett owning the animal.

"There are very good reasons why it is illegal in Florida to own a tiger as a pet," said ARFF Communications Director Don Anthony. "Tigers are dangerous animals that should only be cared for by qualified, trained professionals."

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